Sharing Economy News
Our latest news coverage of the sharing economy, from on-demand transportation and accommodation, through to personal services and peer-to-peer finance.
Uber widens taxi app to Japan’s Tokyo but ride-sharing still barred
Uber Technologies launched a ride-hailing smartphone application in Tokyo on Friday in partnership with three domestic taxi firms, even as strict regulations block its popular ride...
Uber extends mask requirements for drivers and riders
Uber Technologies extended indefinitely a requirement for drivers and riders on its platform to wear a face covering or mask and launched a new campaign video to educate users abou...
Uber bus just around the corner on post-COVID-19 public transit map
Urban transportation’s transformation has shifted up a gear as the coronavirus crisis turns travel habits on their head, with Uber making allies of public transit systems by ...
Start-ups in India downplay Chinese links amid wave of anti-China sentiment
Indian start-ups with Chinese funding and Chinese smartphone makers are actively touting their Indian-ness to users as they seek to address a growing wave of nationalism following ...
Didi installs V2X equipment in Shanghai
Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing, launched a test robotaxi service in a Shanghai suburb on Saturday after installing Vehicle to Everything (V2X) hardware throughout the area...
NYC legalises electric bikes and scooters, will create e-scooter pilot program
New York City Council approved several bills that will legalise the private use of electric scooters and bicycles in the city’s five boroughs, a change long-sought by food de...
Volvo and Waymo partner to build self-driving cars
Waymo and the Volvo Cars Group have agreed to develop a self-driving electric vehicle designed for ride hailing use, as part of a new global partnership, the companies have said.
UK watchdog affirms provisional blessing for Amazon’s Deliveroo deal
The UK’s competition regulator has affirmed its provisional clearance of Amazon’s purchase of a 16% stake in online delivery group Deliveroo but changed the basis of it...
Yandex goes after full control of taxi business as ride-hailing bounces back
Russian internet giant Yandex is interested in taking full control of its Yandex.Taxi ride-hailing service, a joint venture with Uber which returned to pre-pandemic growth levels i...
Big Tech takes aim at Trump’s H1B visa decision
US President, Donald Trump has suspended the entry of some foreign workers in a bid to boost domestic hiring, sparking opposition from corporate America and tech sector executives.
Indonesian ride-hailing firm Gojek cuts 9% of headcount
Indonesian ride-hailing and payments firm Gojek has announced it will lay off 9% of its employees, or 430 workers, and close down its lifestyle services arm, GoLife.
Colombian court overturns restriction on Uber Technologies
A Colombian court has overturned an order which forced ride-hailing app Uber to briefly suspend operations in the country last year and change its service provision model.
US pulled out of stalled talks on digital services taxes – Robert Lighthizer
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin decided to pull out of negotiations on digital services taxes with EU officials after they failed to make any progress, US Trade Representative...
SoftBank-backed ride-hailing firm Grab announces layoffs
Southeast Asian ride-hailing and payments firm Grab announced hundreds of job losses on Tuesday due to the impact of novel coronavirus.